First ever Belgian e-truck delivers beer in Leuven without CO2 emissions

The very first Belgian e-truck is a Volvo FE Electric Truck, parts of which are partly made in Ghent. The uniqueness of this electric truck, still one of Europe's first commercialized e-trucks ever, is that it rolls off the conveyor belt as an e-truck and can therefore be the start of a real electric fleet. Until now, electric vehicles have been converted to diesel, making them less efficient and more difficult to scale. This very first e-truck is a good example of European companies and a government working together to stimulate innovation and develop new technologies to switch to a greener future.

Green rides

The Volvo FE Electric truck makes little noise, emits no CO2 per ride and will be deployed in the city center of Leuven. The vehicle will be used to deliver beers such as Jupiler, Leffe and Stella Artois and the non-alcoholic varieties to supermarkets, hospitals and cafes. The e-truck can drive 120 km autonomously and will make rounds of 40 km in normal catering times in Leuven. Especially in the heart of the city, this will make a significant difference to the quality of life.

Ambitions

"We are happy to share this Belgian first with the mayor of Leuven. It is a good example of how we want to help the city of Leuven to stimulate innovation and to help support the communities in which we operate," says Fabio Sala, BU President AB InBev BeNeFraLux. "As a company that relies on natural ingredients to brew beers, we see it as our duty to invest in sustainability and in new technology that helps reduce emissions. We are excited about this milestone.

"Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand," says Mayor Mohamed Ridouani. "By connecting the many forces in our city, such as this initiative with AB InBev, tomorrow's solutions will first take shape here. This is how we work together towards a sustainable and prosperous future.

Peter Himpe, Vice President Volvo Trucks Belux: "Volvo Trucks is proud that with a global player such as AB InBev, which, like Volvo, has an important Belgian base, we can show the way to a climate-neutral society. With this very first Belgian Volvo FE Electric, Volvo Trucks clearly endorses its ambition to supply only fossil-free vehicles by 2040. By 2030, at least 35% of all Volvo vehicles produced will be electrically propelled. It is thanks to pioneers such as AB InBev that we will be able to show the transport world that Volvo Trucks is serious and that it is 100% committed to contribute to the achievement of the European climate objectives. “

Sustainability objectives

AB InBev positions itself as a true pioneer in green logistics. The brewer also expects commitment from various suppliers, good governance and a clear government framework. "Our goal is to reduce our CO2 emissions across our entire value chain by 25% by 2025," says Sala.

"An e-truck costs about five times as much as a diesel truck, but we see it as our responsibility to invest in a greener future. For our part, we will make every effort to deploy low-carbon and zero CO2 trucks across Europe".

AB InBev, which recently reinforced its Belgian identity with the name "Home of Beer", wants to take care of its homeland Belgium and is therefore opting for an increasingly sustainable logistics policy. Trains and boats are used wherever possible, but trucks are still important for city trips. AB InBev relies on the latest data analysis techniques to optimize the routes that trucks travel and thus reduce the number of kilometers they have to travel. AB InBev is enlarging its fleet and already has 7 CNG trucks, which means that CO2 emissions are reduced.

Source: AB InBev